Bucknell University

LEWISBURG, Pa.- With the match moved to the Sojka Pavilion due to renovations, the Bucknell wrestling team (3-3, 2-0 EIWA) felt more than comfortable picking up three pins and going 37-5 in a conference matchup to win against the LIU Sharks (2-5, 0-2 EIWA). The Bison won seven fights as part of the stunning victory. The Orange & Blue achieved their fourth consecutive 2-0 win in EIWA play.

“It was definitely a good team win for us,” said head coach Dan Wirnsberger. “We wanted to feel good about getting some momentum going into the second half of the year. The big concern is of course.” Aiden Davis and his family and our thoughts are with him and his family. Any time you get three pins, it’s a good night. Long Island is a good team and well coached. We knew that before the game.”

The game started on a sour note with LIU’s Robbie defeating Sagaris Ty Kapusta (125th) gave the Sharks a 3-0 lead. Bucknell’s ranking of wrestlers No. 29 Kurt Phipps (133) and #20 Dylan Chappell (141) turned the tables by recording two wins and scoring seven points for the Bison.

The game’s defining moment came in the 149-pound bout when LIU’s Drew Witham lost a guaranteed win by receiving an apparent discipline penalty against Davis with less than ten seconds left. The score changed from a possible 7-7 tie to 13-2 for Bucknell. The penalty awarded the Bison six points and deducted one from the Sharks’ point total.

LIU gained some momentum in the next game when Brayden defeated Roberts Cade Wirnsberger4-0, in the 157-pound bout.

As a freshman, that excitement quickly faded Thomas’s Creed (165) pinned Donavan Smith in 17 seconds. Smith never stood a chance as Thomas was aggressive and quick with his opponent. The freshman celebrated in style as his crowd and teammates cheered in appreciation.

165 | Bucknell 19, LIU 5

PEN!!!

Thomas’s Creed destroys the LIU wrestler in less than 20 seconds!

Regard: @ESPNPlus (https://t.co/GWybpBo2kT) #rayBucknell | #OurWay pic.twitter.com/rRCLP3aGkp

— Bucknell Wrestling (@Bucknell_WRST) December 21, 2024

#31 Myles Takats (174) essentially sealed the win by scoring a pin for the second straight time. Takats took a 14-2 lead before eventually pinning Corey Connolly.

Logan Deacetis (184) didn’t score a pin, but pulled off an upset by defeating reigning EIWA Wrestler of the Week Anthony D’Alesio in a hard-fought 7-4 decision. Deacetis got a takedown with 27 seconds left.

Dillon Bechtold (197) rose to No. 33 in the national rankings this week and the freshman proved he was worthy of the honor by pinning John Dusza in 4:42.

Logan Springer (HWT) capped off Bucknel’s 24-0 run by winning a thrilling 16-12 decision over Chris Powell. Springer took a 10-0 lead and secured the crowning victory.

Results
125: Robbie Sagaris (LIU) Dec. above Ty Kapusta (BUCK), 4-1 (LIU 3-0)
133: #29 Kurt Phipps (BUCK) Main Dec. via Kaelan Francois (LIU), 13-3 (BUCK 4-3)
141: #20 Dylan Chappell (BUCK) Dec. over Devin Matthews (LIU), 4-2 (BUCK 7-3)
149: Aiden Davis (BUCK) wins by Flagrant Misconduct over Drew Witham (LIU) (BUCK 13-2)
157: Brayden Roberts (LIU) Dec. above Cade Wirnsberger (BUCK), 4-0 (BUCK 13-5)
165: Thomas’s Creed (BUCK) defeated Donavan Smith (LIU), 0:17 (BUCK 19-5)
174: #31 Myles Takats (BUCK) passes Corey Connolly (LIU), 6:05 (BUCK 25-5)
184: Logan Deacetis (BUCK) Dec. over Anthony D’Alesio (LIU), 7-4 (BUCK 28-5)
197: #33 Dillon Bechtold (BUCK) Pin over John Dusza (LIU), 4:42 (BUCK 34-5)
HWT: Logan Springer (BUCK) dec. via Chris Powell (LIU), 16-12 (BUCK 37-5)

(Apparent misconduct deducted a point from LIU during the 149-LB duel)

Next

The Bison will compete in the prestigious Midlands Championships on December 29th and 30th.